The Parachute Regiment

Second World War

The Parachute Regiment was formed in 1942 as part of the Army Air Corps. It constituted Parachute Battalions within which were formed Machine Gun Platoons which utilised the ‘Man Carry’ method of transport. The Parachute Battalions were originally formed without the MMG Platoon; however, after the Operations in North Africa, it was decided to include MMGs within the establishment as soon as practicable. This was to provide the Battalion with sustained fire support independent of divisional assets, which may be dropped some distance away.

The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. J. Gardiner MiD.

One of the members of the Platoon was Andrew Milbourne.During Operation MARKET GARDEN, he recalls:

I was with the machine-gun platoon, with our guns strapped to our legs, and led No. 1 section aboard the C.47. Being No. 1, my part of the gun was the tripod: No. 2 carried the gun, whilst No. 3 and the remaining numbers the ammunition. What with our personal arms, rations and a mass of other kit, the whole bunch of us must have looked like overburdened Christmas trees. Believe me, we felt like it too. Even to reach for a cigarette was an effort.

The first action of the 1st Bn took place in woods at the junction of Wolfhezerweg and the Amsterdam-Ede Road. He recalls:

‘Shells began to burst amongst us. Yells and whistles filled the air and machine-guns opened fire. I noticed before I hugged the ground that one of the enemy guns was about 200 yards in front and to our left flank. My officer asked if I had seen anything and when I pointed the gun out to him ordered my gun section into action. Grasping the tripod I ran across the road, diving headlong into a very convenient ditch. Cautiously I raised my head looking for a position for my gun. Before having completed my look round No. 2 landed on top of me. “You bloody awkward elephant”, I began to curse, then stopped. A burst of fire was spraying the ditch… Finally I reached my position and slowly spread-eagled the tripod legs. Then, raising it slightly to the required height for a low mounting, I clamped the legs tight. Shuffling round I yelled for No. 2. Slowly he approached us and as he did so I ordered No. 3 to get near enough to supply us with ammunition. At last, after what seemed an age, No. 2 reached my side and mounted the gun… We were swept by withering fire. Dead lay all around, wounded were crying for water. Groans and shrieks of pain filled the air. Time and again they overran our positions and had to be driven out with the bayonet. My gun was never out of action.’

Andrew Milbourne was badly injured, including the loss of both arms and an eye, and became a Prisoner of War. He passed away, aged 86, 2009. He was originally a member of the 2nd Bn., Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

2nd

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

30 September, 1941, to 09 December, 1941

1st Parachute Brigade

GHQ Home Forces

United Kingdom

10 December, 1941, to 22 September, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

23 September, 1942, to 01 November, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

United Kingdom

01 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

At Sea

12 November, 1942, to 06 December, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

North Africa

07 December, 1942, to 11 December, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

5 Corps

North Africa

11 December, 1942, to 08 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

78 Inf Division

North Africa

09 January, 1943, to 11 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

North Africa

11 January, 1943, to 24 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

AFHQ

North Africa

25 January, 1943, to 28 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

5 Corps

North Africa

28 January, 1943, to 04 March, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

6 Armd Division

North Africa

06 March, 1943, to 15 April, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

46 Inf Division

North Africa

15 April, 1943, to 21 April, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

5 Corps

North Africa

21 April, 1943, to 06 May, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

AFHQ

North Africa

07 May, 1943, to 13 July, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

North Africa

13 July, 1943, to 16 July, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Sicily

16 July, 1943, to 19 July, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

19 July, 1943, to 11 September, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

North Africa

19 September, 1943, to 13 September, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

13 September, 1943, to 19 November, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

19 November, 1943, to 21 November, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

21 November, 1943, to 28 November, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

North Africa

28 November, 1943, to 09 December, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

09 December, 1943, to 17 September, 1944

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

17 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

NW Europe

17 September – 27 September: The Nederrijn

30 September, 1944, to 05 May, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

05 May, 1945, to 08 May, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Corps

United Kingdom

08 May, 1945, to 31 July, 1945

Indepedent Command

31 July, 1945, to 24 August, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

WO Control

United Kingdom

25 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. J.H.A. Monsell.

3rd

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

01 October, 1941, to 09 December, 1941

1st Parachute Brigade

GHQ Home Forces

United Kingdom

10 December, 1941, to 22 September, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

23 September, 1942, to 01 November, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

United Kingdom

01 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

At Sea

12 November, 1942, to 06 December, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

North Africa

07 December, 1942, to 11 December, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

5 Corps

North Africa

11 December, 1942, to 08 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

78 Inf Division

North Africa

09 January, 1943, to 11 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Army

North Africa

11 January, 1943, to 24 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

AFHQ

North Africa

25 January, 1943, to 28 January, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

5 Corps

North Africa

28 January, 1943, to 04 March, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

6 Armd Division

North Africa

06 March, 1943, to 15 April, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

46 Inf Division

North Africa

15 April, 1943, to 21 April, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

5 Corps

North Africa

21 April, 1943, to 06 May, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

AFHQ

North Africa

07 May, 1943, to 13 July, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

North Africa

13 July, 1943, to 16 July, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Sicily

16 July, 1943, to 19 July, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

19 July, 1943, to 11 September, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

North Africa

19 September, 1943, to 13 September, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

13 September, 1943, to 19 November, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

19 November, 1943, to 21 November, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

21 November, 1943, to 28 November, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

North Africa

28 November, 1943, to 09 December, 1943

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

09 December, 1943, to 17 September, 1944

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

17 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

NW Europe

17 September – 27 September: The Nederrijn

30 September, 1944, to 05 May, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

05 May, 1945, to 08 May, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Corps

United Kingdom

08 May, 1945, to 07 August, 1945

07 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. M.J. Dickson.

4th

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

01 January, 1942, to 31 July, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

01 August, 1942, to 13 April, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

13 April, 1943, to 23 April, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

23 April, 1943, to 08 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

N Africa

08 September, 1943, to 09 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

09 September, 1943, to 28 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

28 September, 1943, to 01 October, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

78 Inf Division

Italy

02 October, 1943, to 16 November, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

17 November, 1943, to 02 December, 1943

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

8 Army

Italy

03, December 1943, to 15 January, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

16 January, 1944, to 25 March, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

8 Ind Inf Division

Italy

26 March, 1944, to 03 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

13 Corps

Italy

04 April, 1944, to 07 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

08 April, 1944, to 16 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

6 Armd Division

Italy

17 April, 1944, to 26 May, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

11 May – 18 May: Cassino II

27 May, 1944, to 26 July, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

No. 3 District

Italy

27 July, 1944, to 15 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

7 US Army

Italy

15 August, 1944, to 26 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

7 US Army

NW Europe

15 August – 28 August: Southern France

26 August, 1944, to 29 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

29 August, 1944, to 17 September, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

Italy

18 September, 1944, to 06 October, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

Force 140 (3 Corps)

Italy

07 October, 1944, to 14 October, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

3 Corps

Italy

14 October, 1944, to 03 December, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

3 Corps

Greece

04 December, 1944, to 27 January, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

Arkforce

Greece

28 January, 1945, to 01 February, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

01 February, 1945, to 16 June, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

Italy

16 June, 1945, to 25 June, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

25 June, 1945, to 16 July, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

United Kingdom

16 July, 1945, to 28 August, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

WO Control

United Kingdom

29 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

5th (Scots)

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

01 January, 1942, to 31 July, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

01 August, 1942, to 13 April, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

13 April, 1943, to 23 April, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

23 April, 1943, to 08 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

N Africa

08 September, 1943, to 09 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

09 September, 1943, to 28 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

28 September, 1943, to 01 October, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

78 Inf Division

Italy

02 October, 1943, to 16 November, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

17 November, 1943, to 02 December, 1943

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

8 Army

Italy

03, December 1943, to 15 January, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

16 January, 1944, to 25 March, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

8 Ind Inf Division

Italy

26 March, 1944, to 03 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

13 Corps

Italy

04 April, 1944, to 07 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

08 April, 1944, to 16 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

6 Armd Division

Italy

17 April, 1944, to 26 May, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

11 May – 18 May: Cassino II

27 May, 1944, to 26 July, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

No. 3 District

Italy

27 July, 1944, to 15 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

7 US Army

Italy

15 August, 1944, to 26 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

7 US Army

NW Europe

15 August – 28 August: Southern France

26 August, 1944, to 29 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

29 August, 1944, to 17 September, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

Italy

18 September, 1944, to 06 October, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

Force 140 (3 Corps)

Italy

07 October, 1944, to 14 October, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

3 Corps

Italy

14 October, 1944, to 03 December, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

3 Corps

Greece

04 December, 1944, to 27 January, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

Arkforce

Greece

28 January, 1945, to 01 February, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

01 February, 1945, to 16 June, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

Italy

16 June, 1945, to 25 June, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

25 June, 1945, to 16 July, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

United Kingdom

16 July, 1945, to 28 August, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

WO Control

United Kingdom

29 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

6th (Royal Welch)

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

01 January, 1942, to 31 July, 1942

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

01 August, 1942, to 13 April, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

13 April, 1943, to 23 April, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

23 April, 1943, to 08 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

N Africa

08 September, 1943, to 09 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

09 September, 1943, to 28 September, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

28 September, 1943, to 01 October, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

78 Inf Division

Italy

02 October, 1943, to 16 November, 1943

2nd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

17 November, 1943, to 02 December, 1943

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

8 Army

Italy

03, December 1943, to 15 January, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

16 January, 1944, to 25 March, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

8 Ind Inf Division

Italy

26 March, 1944, to 03 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

13 Corps

Italy

04 April, 1944, to 07 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

08 April, 1944, to 16 April, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

6 Armd Division

Italy

17 April, 1944, to 26 May, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

2 NZ Division

Italy

11 May – 18 May: Cassino II

27 May, 1944, to 26 July, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

No. 3 District

Italy

27 July, 1944, to 15 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

7 US Army

Italy

15 August, 1944, to 26 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

7 US Army

NW Europe

15 August – 28 August: Southern France

26 August, 1944, to 29 August, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

29 August, 1944, to 17 September, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

Italy

18 September, 1944, to 06 October, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

Force 140 (3 Corps)

Italy

07 October, 1944, to 14 October, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

3 Corps

Italy

14 October, 1944, to 03 December, 1944

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

3 Corps

Greece

04 December, 1944, to 27 January, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

Arkforce

Greece

28 January, 1945, to 01 February, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

01 February, 1945, to 16 June, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

Italy

16 June, 1945, to 25 June, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

At Sea

25 June, 1945, to 16 July, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

AFHQ

United Kingdom

16 July, 1945, to 28 August, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

WO Control

United Kingdom

29 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

7th (Light Infantry)

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

07 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

WO Control

United Kingdom

13 November, 1942, to 11 April, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

12 April, 1943, to 14 May, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

WO Control

United Kingdom

15 May, 1943, to 08 August, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

09 August, 1943, to 05 June, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

6 June: Normandy Landing

05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

At Sea

26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 March, 1945, to 20 May, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 March – 01 April: The Rhine

20 May, 1945, to 20 July, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

20 July, 1945, to 28 July, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade Group

WO Control

By Air (Bde HQ and some units moved by air and the remainder of the Bde Group by sea. The Group was finally concentrated in India by the middle of August, 1945)

28 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade Group

GHQ India

India

The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation OVERLORD (June 1944) was Lt. Hill.

8th (Midland Counties)

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

07 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

WO Control

United Kingdom

13 November, 1942, to 11 April, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

12 April, 1943, to 14 May, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

WO Control

United Kingdom

15 May, 1943, to 05 June, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

6 June: Normandy Landing

05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

At Sea

26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 March, 1945, to 24 May, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 March – 01 April: The Rhine

24 May, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

9th (Home Counties)

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

05 December, 1942, to 11 April, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

12 April, 1943, to 14 May, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

WO Control

United Kingdom

15 May, 1943, to 05 June, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

6 June: Normandy Landing

05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

At Sea

26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 March, 1945, to 24 May, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 March – 01 April: The Rhine

24 May, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation OVERLORD (June 1944) was Lt. Dennis Slade.

10th

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

23 February, 1943, to 13 March, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Egypt

14 March, 1943, to 20 May, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Palestine

21 May, 1943, to 25 May, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Egypt

25 May, 1943, to 30 May, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

At Sea

30 May, 1943, to 06 June, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Libya

06 June, 1943, to 08 June, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

N Africa

09 June, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Italy

10 June, 1943, to 22 November, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

22 November, 1943, to 10 December, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

10 December, 1943, to 18 September, 1944

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

18 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

NW Europe: The Bde suffered heavy casualties in the Arnhem Battle. Details of the Bde were integrated with the 1 Para Bde in return to the United Kingdom. The Bde never functioned again and HQ was finally disbanded on 10 December, 1944.

17 September – 27 September: The Nederrijn

The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. H.C.N. Radcliff. He was sadly Killed-in-Action on the 19th September 1944.

11th

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

30 April, 1943, to 20 May, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Palestine

21 May, 1943, to 25 May, 1943

Independent Command

07 January, 1944, to 18 September, 1944

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

18 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

NW Europe: The Bde suffered heavy casualties in the Arnhem Battle. Details of the Bde were integrated with the 1 Para Bde in return to the United Kingdom. The Bde never functioned again and HQ was finally disbanded on 10 December, 1944.

17 September – 27 September: The Nederrijn

The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. J.F. Rogerson. He was sadly Killed-in-Action on the 24th September 1944.

12th (Yorkshire)

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

01 June, 1943, to 08 August, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

09 August, 1943, to 05 June, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

6 June: Normandy Landing

05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

At Sea

26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 March, 1945, to 20 May, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 March – 01 April: The Rhine

20 May, 1945, to 20 July, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

20 July, 1945, to 28 July, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade Group

WO Control

By Air (Bde HQ and some units moved by air and the remainder of the Bde Group by sea. The Group was finally concentrated in India by the middle of August, 1945)

28 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade Group

GHQ India

India

13th (Lancashire) Battalion

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

01 June, 1943, to 08 August, 1943

3rd Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

09 August, 1943, to 05 June, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

6 June: Normandy Landing

05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

At Sea

26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

24 March, 1945, to 20 May, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

NW Europe

23 March – 01 April: The Rhine

20 May, 1945, to 20 July, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade

6 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

20 July, 1945, to 28 July, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade Group

WO Control

By Air (Bde HQ and some units moved by air and the remainder of the Bde Group by sea. The Group was finally concentrated in India by the middle of August, 1945)

28 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

5th Parachute Brigade Group

GHQ India

India

15th Battalion

01 March, 1945

Formed as 15 (Kings) Para Regt from volunteers of 1 Kings in Rawlpindi under command 77 Ind Inf Bde

18 June, 1945

Moved to Bilaspur with Bde

21 June, 1945

Designated 15 Para Regt

16th Battalion

01 March, 1945

On arrival in Rawalpindi with 77 Ind Inf Bde, 1 S Staffords started to form 16 (Staffords) Para Regt from volunteers

18 April, 1945

Assumed title of 16 Para Regt

16 June, 1945

Moved to Bilaspur with Bde

17th Battalion

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

14 May, 1945, to 10 July, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

SHAEF Mission Denmark

NW Europe

11 July, 1945, to 25 July, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

8 Corps

NW Europe

26 July, 1945, to 29 July, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

21 Army Group

Nw Europe

30 July, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

21 Army Group

United Kingdom

31 July, 1945, to 24 August, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

WO Control

United Kingdom

25 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945

1st Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

156th Battalion

Formation to which attached

Dates

Brigade

Division

Theatres

Battles

14 February, 1943, to 13 March, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Egypt

14 March, 1943, to 20 May, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Palestine

21 May, 1943, to 25 May, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Egypt

25 May, 1943, to 30 May, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

At Sea

30 May, 1943, to 06 June, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Libya

06 June, 1943, to 08 June, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

N Africa

09 June, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

GHQ MEF

Italy

10 June, 1943, to 22 November, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

Italy

22 November, 1943, to 10 December, 1943

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

At Sea

10 December, 1943, to 18 September, 1944

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

United Kingdom

18 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944

4th Parachute Brigade

1 Airborne Division

NW Europe: The Bde suffered heavy casualties in the Arnhem Battle. Details of the Bde were integrated with the 1 Para Bde in return to the United Kingdom. The Bde never functioned again and HQ was finally disbanded on 10 December, 1944.

17 September – 27 September: The Nederrijn

The MMG Platoon was formed without warning and preparation on route to Bigerta, to embark for Taranto, Italy (September, 1943).

At the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September, 1944), the structure of the MG Platoon was as shown in the organisation chart below.

During the flight to Operation MARKET GARDEN, the whole of No. 2 Section, and the Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Orderley, were on Chalk 619, a Dakota of 52nd Troop Carrer Wing, 314 Troop Carrier Command, US Army Air Force. This plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Holland and crash landed approximately 20km south-west of the landing zone. Only one member of the platoon, Pte. Stevens, managed to get out of the plane alive but later died of wounds. All other members of the section were killed as part of the crash or in the fire immediately after. They are now buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen and photos of their resting places are shown below.

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Post-Second World War

The establishment of Machine Gun Platoons within a Parachute Battalion didn’t change after the Second World War. The Vickers remained in service for many years with the Parachute Battalions.

Sources:

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